TN govt forms panel to probe into violence at pro-jallikattu stir

Cases against 36 students, who had spearheaded the week-long protests earlier this month at Marina Beach in Chennai and elsewhere across the state, withdrawn

The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced a Commission of Inquiry to go into the circumstances leading to the violence during the recent pro-jallikattu stir in the state and the alleged police excesses.

In a suo motu statement in the Assembly, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said the commission would be headed by a retired high court judge and complete the probe in three months.

He also announced withdrawal of cases against 36 students who had spearheaded the week-long protests earlier this month at Marina Beach in Chennai and elsewhere across the state, demanding lifting of the ban on the bull taming sport.

The protest had turned violent on January 23 when police dispersed the agitators, two days after the state promulgated and ordinance for allowing the sport.

He said the commission would probe if the police had used appropriate force over the protesters, and if it was proportionate to the circumstances, and the damage to public and private properties.

“It will enquire if there had been excesses in police action and if it had been so, the Commission will advise on the action to be taken,” he said adding recommendations will also be made to avert such situations in the future.